Book Review On Balance 
by Adam Phillips
Hamish Hamilton, hb, £20, Non-Fiction
Book Review: On Balance
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The most recent publication by psychoanalyst Adam Phillips is fundamentally an investigation into excess; how it is defined and perceived by people. Tackling everyday displays of excess such as gluttony and sexual appetite, he discusses the ways in which these are measured and judged by others, and why. Constructed as a series of essays and talks, laced with references to the works of Freud, it is a logical and fluid narrative on an abstract topic.
There are some repetitive moments, and at times ideas may seem farfetched, however this is part of the appeal of the book. It is engaging and thought provoking, as Phillips urges his readers to twist reason and open their minds up to new interpretations of issues that are more complex than they first appear on the surface, introducing a range of literature from Sebald and Auden to consolidate his ideas. His fascinating new reading into the Cinderella fairy tale and suggestion that punishment assures us that we are cared for are particular highlights.
Posted on Wednesday 1st September 2010
Hannah Cooper
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